In a thrilling first and possibly last double-overtime spectacle in Pac-12 women’s basketball tournament history, No. 13 Oregon State emerged victorious over No. 18 Colorado. The Beavers, seeded fourth in the tournament, displayed remarkable resilience to outlast the Buffaloes 85-79 in a nail-biting quarterfinal clash held in Las Vegas on Thursday.
Oregon State’s hard-fought victory propels them forward to face the winner of the highly anticipated matchup between top-seeded Stanford and eighth-seeded Cal later in the day.
The game showcased the tenacity of both teams, with Colorado establishing double-digit leads during the second and fourth quarters. However, a dramatic turn of events saw Oregon State orchestrate a remarkable 13-0 run late in regulation, forcing the game into overtime.
Colorado’s hopes were dashed in the second overtime period, exacerbated by the departure of their star player, All-Pac-12 center Aaronette Vonleh, due to fouling out. Seizing the opportunity, Oregon State capitalized on Vonleh’s absence to secure a decisive 12-4 scoring spree.
Vonleh’s stellar performance, highlighted by 20 points, four rebounds, three assists, and two blocks, was complemented by an impressive showing from Jaylyn Sherrod, who contributed 23 points, seven assists, six rebounds, and four steals, despite grappling with seven turnovers.
Oregon State’s dominance in the paint proved pivotal, with the formidable duo of Raegan Beers and Timea Gardiner combining for an impressive 40 points and 24 rebounds.
The victory marked the culmination of a triumphant trilogy for Oregon State, having previously secured two wins over Colorado during the regular season, despite Colorado’s top-five rankings at the time of both encounters. However, Oregon State faces a formidable challenge in their next matchup against Stanford, having suffered two defeats to the top-seeded team earlier in the season, with a combined margin of only 13 points.